The city of Boulder is considering what its energy future will look like. The goal it to acquire "clean, local and reliable" energy in the future, and one voter-approved option is to start a municipal utility. For more information on the history of this decision, click here.

Longmont police find black Airsoft gun at Timberline K-8 School

Longmont police arrested a 13-year-old boy on Friday afternoon after an hourslong investigation into reports that he had a gun at Timberline K-8 School, 233 E. Mountain View Ave.

Police were called to the school at about 11:30 a.m. to investigate reports students made to the principal that the boy was carrying a gun in his backpack. The student was found in the school interventionist's office, but the gun was not in his backpack when police searched it.

After hours of searching the school Friday afternoon, police found an Airsoft replica pistol that was painted black, Longmont Police Cmdr. Jeff Satur said just before 5 p.m.

"The gun was in the school," Satur said in a prepared statement. "I can't release where due to the on ongoing investigation."

Longmont police found this Airsoft gun, painted black, at Timberline K-8 School just before 5 p.m. Friday, after searching the school for several hours. (Courtesy photo)

He released a photo of the gun.

"I think it is important to see how realistic it is," Satur said. "It would be very alarming for students to see someone carrying it."

The boy was arrested on suspicion of interfering with a schoool and false reporting, both misdemeanors. Police added the false reporting charge because he denied having the weapon when officers questioned him, Satur said.

"I can tell you, based on some interviews, he reportedly had it for several days," Satur said.

Students who reported the weapon did the right thing, Satur said. Students who report suspicious behavior can derail school violence.

"I am just really thankful they went to the principal," he said.

Police detained the boy shortly after they were called to the school and his guardians were notified.

St. Vrain Valley School District spokesman John Poynton said at about 12:45 p.m. that police were questioning the boy.

As of about 2:45 p.m. on Friday, parents of students at Timberline and Skyline High School, where Timberline students were transported, could pick their kids up at Skyline. They were asked to bring identification and to go to the south entrance of Skyline, near Vance Brand Auditorium.

Timberline K-8 School students are evacuated from their school Friday as police investigate a report of a student having brought a gun -- possibly an Airsoft gun -- to school in his backpack. Police have not located a weapon. (Matthew Jonas/Longmont Times-Call)

"There is no indication there is a weapon at the school," Poyton said. The original report of a weapon came from students, he said, glad they told school officials.

After initial reports, Longmont police surrounded the school and searched for the boy. Officers stationed around the school property stood in covered positions with weapons at the ready. Eventually, they entered the school with weapons drawn.

Nervous parents and family members started to gather along the sidewalks outside of the school shortly after word of police presence at the school began to get out.

Stephanie Ryno cried on the sidewalk. Even with assurances that the boy suspected of having the gun was in custody and that all students were safe, she struggled to control her emotions while waiting.

"My daughter called me and told me there was a kid with a gun and the school was on lockdown," she said. "Of course with all of the school shootings I am hysterical."

After the boy was escorted to a police car, Sgt. Mike Bell spoke to gathered parents.

"First and foremost, everything is under control and everyone is safe and we anticipate no further problems today," he said.

Voice messages and emails were sent to Timberline and Skyline parents, Poynton said. Emails also were sent to all district parents, he said.

He didn't clarify what time those notices were sent; as of 12:30 p.m., parents were telling the Times-Call via social media that the district had not contacted them.

School staff passed out statements in English and Spanish to parents waiting outside the school. It asked parents to wait until they were notified to come to the school.

Timberline K-8 immediately was put on lockdown, which means that students stayed in their classrooms and no one was allowed in or out of the building. Skyline High School, which is one block away, was put on lockout, so that no one was allowed in or out of the building but that normal activities continued inside the school.

Ballot language:
In November, Boulder voters narrowly approved two ballot issues related to starting a municipal utility: 2B and 2C. You can read the full text of the ballot language on the city's website.

Issue 2B asked voters to increase the existing utility occupation tax by up to $1.9 million a year. The money from the tax, which will be collected from customers by Xcel Energy, will be used by the city to cover the costs of moving forward with forming a municipal utility, such as more studies and legal fees.

Issue 2C asked voters for permission to actually form a municipal utility. The language allows the city to sell the necessary bonds to take over the current system from Xcel, but it states that the city may only move forward with forming a municipal utility if it can start the utility with rates that are the same or cheaper than Xcel's.

Helpful Links:City of Boulder: This is where the city is aggregating all of its documents, meeting information and updates on Boulder s energy future: bouldercolorado.gov/energyfuture

RenewablesYes: This website is run by the group of volunteers that lobbied local voters to pass a utility occupation tax in November to replace the expiring franchise fee from Xcel Energy. Now, the group is advocating for the city to secure a cleaner, more local energy supply. renewablesyes.org

Xcel Energy: Xcel is the largest utility in Colorado, and it currently provides electricity to Boulder. The city s 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel expired at the end of 2010. xcelenergy.com

Boulder Smart Energy Coalition: A citizen group that supports the city's general energy goals but has concerns about the risks involved with starting a municipal utility. bouldersec.com

SmartGridCity: Xcel Energy has installed a smart grid in Boulder. This web site provides more information on that initiative. smartgridcity.xcelenergy.com

Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities: This Colorado Springs-based group represents the state s 29 municipal utilities, which include utilities based in Lyons and Longmont. coloradopublicpower.org